[18] These immense monoliths have originally, it is estimated, been upwards of thirty in number, and to have been placed probably ten yards apart. The largest remaining stone stands between eight and nine feet above the ground, and is seventeen feet in circumference. It is estimated to weigh upwards of seven tons. Several of the stones have entirely disappeared, of others fragments remain scattered about. [19] For an excellent notice of this and other remains, the reader is referred to Mr. W. F. Wakeman’s “Handbook of Irish Antiquities,”--the best and most compact little work on the subject which has been issued, and one which will be found extremely useful to the archæological student--to which I am indebted for some of the accompanying engravings. [20] For the loan of these seven engravings I am indebted to the Council of the “Historical and Archæological Association of Ireland,” (formerly the “Kilkenny and South-east of Ireland Archæological Society,”) in whose journal--one of the most valuable of antiquarian publications--they have appeared. This Association is one of the most useful that has ever been established, and deserves the best support, not only of Irish, but of English antiquaries. [21] F. C. Lukis. [22] Vol. i. p. 142. [23] T. Wright. [24] “Archæological Journal,” vol xi., p. 315. [25] For articles upon this subject see the “Reliquary, Quarterly Archæological Journal and Review,” vol. ii., pages 61 to 70; and Mr. Bateman’s “Ten Years’ Diggings,” page 279. [26] This barrow has been admirably described in that magnificent work, “CRANIA BRITANNICA,”--a work which every ethnologist and antiquary ought to possess, and which contains far more information than any other book extant. The following extract from the work explains the section:--